NOTE: If you are an existing TIP Dial-up subscriber, and want to change to the PCUG DSL service, you will need to fill in the PCUG DSL Application Form. You can get the form from the PCUG DSL Information Page in the PCUG web site at PCUG DSL Broadband Service.
A. Purchase or Order Suitable ADSL Customer Premises Equipment.
Information on the equipment you will need to install in your premises is set out in the PCUG web site quoted above. You may purchase your own or order it through the PCUG when you apply for the service.
PCUG recommends that members seriously consider purchasing a modem or router with an in-built fire-wall for use with always-on broadband connections. PCUG can supply you with a combined modem/router if you order it with your application.
Modems and routers may connect to your computer using an ethernet connection or USB. If you choose an ethernet connection you must install a network interface card in your computer (see the next section). If you choose to connect by USB make sure that your computer has an available USB port or purchase a USB hub which allows more than one USB device to connect to the computer.
If you already have a Network Interface Card installed in your computer skip the next section.
B. Install Network Interface Card (NIC) if Needed
Note: It may not be necessary to install a network card, many computers (specially laptops) include in-built network hardware. Check your user manuals before rushing out to buy a card (or USB NIC).
1. Purchase a 10 MBS or 10/100 MBS PCI card. Almost any brand should do - the later 10/100 type should normally be easily recognised by most Windows versions (possibly not W95 and/or NT4). The current cost for a new boxed 10/100 NIC varies between $15 and $30.
2. Open the computer case, find a spare PCI slot (White socket), and firmly insert card. Make sure it is well 'seated' in the socket and that the securing screw can be inserted easily. Replace case.
3. Power up the computer. Before Windows fully loads, the new card should be detected. Insert the supplied Floppy disk or CD when requested. You may also need your Original Windows CD to complete the software installation.
4. If the installation states that the card was successfully installed - fine - if not, make a note all the full details in any error messages, then SEEK HELP, and pass on all the details of error messages.
5. Right click "My Computer" desktop icon. Left click Properties, then Device Manager tab (Windows 2000 and XP are the same except - Left Click Hardware tab after Properties, then Click Device Manager button). Check that there are no yellow or red exclamation marks or question marks against 'Network Adaptors'. If there are any problems in that section of device manager, make a note all the full details in any error messages, then SEEK HELP , and pass on all the details of error messages - there is no point in proceeding further.
6. If all is O.K. then connect the Network cable from the modem or router to the NIC. Make sure the connector 'clicks in' like a modern phone plug and cannot be disconnected with a very light pull on the cable.
C. Connect the Modem or Router
Before you begin connecting your modem or router, turn off any fire wall you have operating in your computer. Once the connection is operating correctly you can then turn the firewall on again.
First, if you will be sharing your ADSL connection with your existing telephone line, you will need at least one microfilter. The microfilter prevents the ADSL connection from interfering with your telephone line. If you ordered a NetComm device there will be a microfilter in the box for your convenience. You will need to put one microfilter between each telephone or other device (such as facsimile machine, answering machine) and the telephone line. Or you may install an ADSL POTS Splitter where the telephone line enters your house.
Your modem or router should have installation instructions with it. Read the instructions carefully or, if the instructions are on a CD, put it into your computer and read or listen to all the instructions before you start.
Follow the instructions to set up your modem, connect it to the power supply and to the computer using either an ethernet cable or USB cable. Make sure that both the modem and your computer are switched off before making any connections.
Connecting your modem via Ethernet
Step 1. Connect the telephone cable to the ADSL device. Connect one end of the provided phone cable to the port labelled ADSL on the Rear Panel of the device. Connect the other end to your wall phone jack. You can attach a telephone line to the device. This is helpful when the ADSL line uses the only convenient wall phone jack. If desired, connect the telephone cable to the port labelled Phone.
Warning : Although you use the same type of cable, the ADSL and Phone ports are not interchangeable. Do not route the ADSL connection through the Phone port.
Step 2. Connect the Ethernet cable. If you are connecting a LAN to the ADSL Modem, attach one end of a provided Ethernet cable to a regular hub port and the other to the Ethernet port on the ADSL Modem. If you are using the ADSL Modem with a single computer and no hub, you must use an Ethernet cable to attach the NIC in the PC directly to the device. The cable is wired differently to than the cable you would use to connect to a hub.
Step 3. Attach the power connector. Connect the AC power adapter to the Power connector on the back of the device and plug in the adapter to a wall outlet or power strip.
Step 4. Power up your systems. Turn on and boot up your computer(s) and any LAN devices such as hubs or switches.
After completing the above installation, refer to the sections below to configure your computer.
Connecting Your ADSL Modem via USB
1. Plug in the supplied plug pack and turn power point on.
2. Connect USB Cable to a USB port on your PC but do not connect it to the modem yet.
3. Start PC and log in if not already started.
4. Insert the modem installation CD into your CD drive.
5. The USB Modem autorun screen will appear. Click on Install (your modem) USB Drivers.
6. The DSL Modem Setup Wizard will then start. Click on "Next" to continue .
7. Click on Accept to agree to the License Agreement and continue the installation.
8. When prompted by the Found New Hardware Wizard click on "Next".
Windows will locate the USB device driver and copy the required files to your PC.9. Click on Continue Anyway.
10. Connect the USB cable to the modem.
11. When prompted by the Found New Hardware Wizard confirm that “Install the software automatically (Recommended)” is selected and click on "Next".
12. Click on "Continue Anyway". Windows will locate the appropriate USB IAD LAN Modem driver and copy the required files to your PC.
13. When prompted, select "Yes", reboot the computer now and click on "Close".
14. After rebooting the DSL Modem Setup Wizard will complete the installation.
Click on "Finish".
Note your device instructions may be different - if so follow the instructions that came with your device).
D. Configuring the Modem or Router
Before you proceed any further make sure that PCUG has activated your ADSL service and has advised you of the log-in ID you need. If you do not have this information contact the PCUG Centre before going further. Your log-in ID will be in the form "(your_current_PCUG_log-in_ID)@pcug.your-dsl.net". You need a log-in password separate from your existing PCUG email password. Before proceeding make sure that you know both the log-in user ID and password.
Once you know the ADSL service has been activated you need to configure basic settings for your Internet connection.
The ADSL Modem usually comes with a preinstalled software program called Configuration Manager which enables you to configure the operation of the device via your Web browser. The settings that you most likely need to change before using the device are grouped onto a single Quick Configuration page.
E. Logging in to the device Quick Configuration Page.
1. Insert the device CD into your CD drive and follow the instructions which came with the device.
2. Make sure that the device is not trying to send the password using encryption - if there is an option in the Configuration page choose "CHAP" and disable "PAP" if that option is available. If you have a Netcomm NB1300 modem/router, go to "WAN Settings" and change to "CHAP" only.
Check that your computer is not trying to send an encrypted password -
In Windows 2000 - Go to "Start", point to "Settings", and then click "Network and Dial-up Connections". Right-click the dial-up connection you want to configure, and then click "Properties". On the "Security" tab, click "Typical (recommended settings)", and in "Validate my identity as follows:" select "Allow unsecured password". Select OK.
In Windows XP - Open the Network and Dial-up Connections folder, right click, the connection, and select Properties, then the Security tab, click on "Advanced security settings" and select "Unencrypted password", then OK.
3. Once you have entered the log-in ID and password into the configuration page the device software will attempt to contact the PCUG server. If that contact is unsuccessful, make a note of all error messages and SEEK HELP, give Help the full text of all error messages.
4. If you are asked to select between PPPoE and PPPoA, choose PPPoE. However some routers require PPPoA - check the manual.
5. At this stage check the lights on your modem or router. The power light should be on and the light labelled either "WAN" or "SYN" should glow steadily. If that light is flashing you do not have a satisfactory connection. First thing to do is to turn the modem off, wait 10 seconds and try again. If that does not work, make a note of all error messages and SEEK HELP, give Help the full text of all error messages.
6. If all O.K. you may proceed to use the internet as you wish.
7. If you wish to retain your dial-up capability - it's worth adding the dial-up icon to the desktop as well. Do this by opening 'My Computer' then 'Dial up Networking' ((Network and dial-up connections in 2000). You may have to go to Control Panel first - then in Dial-up-Networking Right Click your TIP or PCUG Icon and then click 'Create shortcut', answer O.K. when "this can only be created on the Desktop" (or similar message) is displayed.
8. Restart the computer, then if the device is set up correctly you will automatically be connected to the internet. If all goes well (Within 10 seconds or so) you should be connected as indicated by the double computer screen icon in the area to the bottom right of your desktop. You can then remain connected for as long as you like and use your Browser and Email programs as usual. It is recommended that you install some Firewall software if you stay on line for long periods. You can download free 'ZoneAlarm' software from Zone Alarm.
9. If you are connecting for the first time to (no previous Dial-up account) - you can find Email setup instructions at Configuring Email.
10. If you are using Windows XP, the inbuilt XP firewall (selected by default) should be adequate for most purposes. XP should take less than 2 seconds to connect.
F. Make Changes to your Browser
1. Open Internet Explorer (select 'Work offline' if necessary) then left click on 'Tools' menu item, then 'Internet Options', then 'Connections' tab. Then change to 'Never Dial an Internet connection'.While still on the Connections tab, remove all proxy settings - click on LAN Settings and check "Automatically detect settings".
2. Alternatively open Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel, then Internet Options, then Connections tab .Then change to 'Never Dial an Internet connection'. While still on the Connections tab, remove all proxy settings - click on LAN Settings and check "Automatically detect settings".
G. Make Changes to Your Email Program
You do not have to change anything to receive emails. Your email address will not change. But because the ADSL servers are outside our PCUG servers you need to log in securely to send emails. This is needed because the PCUG servers are protected from hackers and other trouble makers to ensure that our members get a reliable service.
The changes you need to make depend to some extent on which email client program you use. For fully detailed instructions on how to configure your email program to send emails through the PCUG servers see this page (we recommend that you print this page out so you can follow it as you change the configurations in your email program) - Configuring Your Email Client Program
H. How to Access Newsgroups
PCUG DSL subscribers will need to change the set up in their newsreader to be able to access to the TIP news server (newshost.tip.net.au) so they can read the tip.* and other newsgroups available through the TIP news server.
When accessing the news server in this way, you must use a newsreader capable of encrypting its connection to the news server so that your password is concealed. Your newsreader must also be capable of doing user authentication (most modern newsreaders do). When prompted by your newsreader for a username and password, you should provide your usual PCUG email username/password (not your ADSL log-in ID and log-in password).
If you have any problems, please contact
If you wishyou may also access the newsgroups made available by Comindico, the address of the Comindico news server for PCUG DSL subscribers is "news.comindcio.com.au".
I. Some Other Useful Information
If you decide that you need carry out DNS lookups to look for the IP address(es) of host(s) for the ADSL service you can use
ns4.comindico.com.au - 203.194.56.150 - or
ns3.comindico.com.au - 203.194.27.57.
End of PCUG DSL connection procedures
All Suggestions for improvement or correction to this document will be welcome - send to email address below.
If you need help email - "help@pcug.org.au"